Our Christmas tree was delivered today and the staff are festively decking our (museum) halls with boughs of holly. I don’t know where this year went, frankly…

Recently my mind has turned to our Christmas event on the 10 December, which will be a somewhat Victorian-themed affair, including our fabulous Victorian Pantry café. The newly decorated area features an extensive menu, including traditional teas and delicious cakes. You almost get fat just looking at the selection of buns and quiche. Therefore it makes sense that the Pantry will be creating some festive food (including mince pies) to support our Christmas event on the 10 December (so bring your expanding waistline clothes as you will need them after all the cake!).

Nicola serving up fresh food and drink

Elsewhere in the museum you may find some of Santa’s naughty elves (and yes, I know there isn’t really a Victorian connection…), all the way from the Customs House who will be doing story-telling for the little’uns at 12pm in the Learning Room. The Customs House have also kindly donated a prize of a set of family tickets to a Christmas film of choice, so be sure to enter our competition on the day.

Our hard-working Learning team will also be on hand delivering some Victorian-themed arts and crafts for families between 11am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 3pm on the ground floor in Cookson Street.

On Saturday we will also launch our ‘Design the Bridge of the Future’ competition, giving kids the chance to design a bridge inspired by our ‘Crossing the Tyne’ exhibition. Each week the best designs will be placed in Art Adventure for everyone to see and don’t forget to check out our events programme linked to the exhibition!

Fascinating objects and beautiful paintings on display

The Friends of the Museum will be stationed within the Museum raising money for our venue with their tombola. Of course, if you are interested in joining them or finding out more about the programme of activities that they set up each year then have a chat with them- they don’t bite! Infact, these lot are incredibly game for a laugh. Last year I had the Chairman taken hostage by Storm Troopers. Unfortunately someone paid the ransom so he is now roaming free again, but there’s always next year…

A storm trooper takes a break from universal domination to ride Muffin the Mule

The event on the 10 December will be the last one for 2011. South Shields Museum & Art Gallery will be closed after the 17 December through to the 9 January 2012. However, I can assure you that it doesn’t mean an extended holiday for the staff here- we will still be feverishly working behind the scenes to come up with events, exhibitions and activities for you all in 2012. If you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see, want us to repeat, or have won the lottery and would like to donate all of your money to us, then please get in touch!!!